Sous chef exploring the food culture in NYC…and beyond!

Pigging Out

“[The] Bacon trend will never End, ” according to Food & Wine magazine. Why is the Bacon trend still goes on…can it still be called a “trend” after all this time? Some fads come and go, but bacon is definitely here to stay! As long as I can remember, everyone’s been crazy about bacon. That aroma of bacon sizzling on the stove brings a smile to everyone’s face and them running to the kitchen.

photo: courtesy of Food & Wine magazine

More and more restaurants are promoting items on their menus around our obsession with bacon. The bacon “trend” stems from the food industry making us more aware of our love for the pig! Over the last few years, I’ve seen some interesting combinations and concoctions with bacon as the star ingredient. It’s not just for sandwiches anymore, bacon has been infused into cookies, milkshakes, pies, ice cream, alcohol, mayonnaise, jams and even candied and dipped in chocolate are just a few examples.

For those who just can’t get enough, there are restaurants and bars, in New York City, that have dedicated large part of their menu to bacon! Hell’s Kitchen has the Bar Bacon, offering beer and bacon, even a bacon tasting option on the menu. Swine in the West Village, where pork belly and bacon are staples and Pork Slope in Brooklyn is another favorite. There was even a bakery on the Upper West Side, Baconery, that was solely dedicated to all things bacon, from sweets to soaps to pillows, it was pork heaven. Unfortunately, it’s no longer in business but not forgotten, as bacon surely is when it’s gone from your plate.